Frequent Cleaning Of Pool Interior
To avoid having to perform substantial cleaning of the walls and floor of your pool in the future, clean your pool interior with pool surface cleaning brushes and natural cleaning solutions. There are times when a pool may have too much calcium or have a buildup of copper, or even excessive algae at one point or another. All of these scenarios can cause staining to the walls and floor of your pool interior.
The staining usually doesnt happen overnight, and you can avoid staining from starting or continuing by scrubbing and vacuuming the walls and floor of your pool.
How Do I Know That Something Is Growing In It
Algae growth is usually the first thing. They reproduce so quickly that you will notice cloudiness well before you see any hint of green.
Since the life that grows in your pool is so small, when you even start to see cloudiness, this means that algae are already growing out of control. You dont want to wait to treat it any longer. Think of crystal-clear water as your standard for drinking and swimming.
If your pool does begin to look green, there is a vast population of algae within your pool and so the growth continues from there. The greener the pool, the more algae you will find within it.
So the bottom line is that something is living in your pool that needs to be exterminated before you get your beautiful pool back.
Install The Pool Pillow
Knowing how to close an above ground pool means mastering the mystical art of the inflatable. In cold climates, placing a pool air pillowalso known as an ice compensator because it compensates for the pressure of the snow and ice on top of the coverunder the cover protects the sides of the cover and the walls of your pool from damage.
Even if you dont live in a cold climate but you close and cover your pool, you can use an air pillow to keep water and debris off to the side of the pool for an easy spring clean-up.
The secret to winterizing success lies in inflating the air pillow to around 50% or 60% of its capacity. This allows the pillow to compress without immediately popping after the first substantial snowfall.
Blow up the air pillow and place it in the middle of the pool. You can use a thin rope to secure it to either side of the pool so that it stays in the middle, or use an accessory designed to center your pillow automatically. Some pillows also come with built-in grommets to allow you to secure them on all four corners for easy centering.
Note: While you dont absolutely need the pillow to stay centered all winter, doing so protects your pool cover and walls from ice more effectively.
You can prolong the life of your pool pillows by sealing the seams and valves with duct tape once youve inflated the pillows. This will reduce air loss due to leaks and bolster the pillows strength.
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Treating The Water In Your Inflatable Pool
- Written by Justin Stewart on Oct 02, 2009To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by Charles Ramos, Jr. on Apr 12, 2021
Once upon a time, inflatable pools were only for the kids. They were small, easy to inflate, and easy to drain and refill after each use without having to worry about bacteria or algae building up. However, now, many families are choosing to purchase inflatable pools that can hold thousands of gallons of water to fill an up to 4-foot depth, resembling a traditional, permanent above-ground pool. With these larger models, it is much more difficult to maintain a clean and safe environment. Without proper treatment, bacteria becomes a problem and not only does the pool become unsafe, it can look unsightly as well.
Larger Pools and Chemical Treatments
For larger inflatable pools, it is best to simply purchase all the traditional chemical products available at any pool supply store. This includes ph balance test strips as well as commercially available chlorine used to treat in-ground pools.
Homemade Remedies for Smaller Pools
Regardless of which type of chemical you choose to use on your pool, it is essential to be careful when applying it to the water. Make sure the chlorine is properly mixed in the water and not allowed to collect on the vinyl siding, as it will eventually cause erosion.
The #1 Thing That You Can Do
So what is the most effective approach to rid your pool of algae and get it clear again?
Chlorine is the short answer. How much is determined by how big your pool is and how much algae is in it. So it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
But the goal is to shock the algae with the amount of chlorine you add. There are products available that play on these words, such as algae guard and pool shock products.
Any of these will provide about the same level of power as the chlorine will.
When you shock your pools water, you will probably have to pour in at least a 2.5-gallon bottle of chlorine or several pounds of granules. So it is better to buy the larger sizes to get the best value. You can even purchase 25-pound bags of granules as well.
Plus, it takes more to eliminate all traces of the algae than it does to kill it. So you will need to read specific directions on the packaging of the product you choose for your size pool.
Start by calculating how much water your pool holds . Read on the packaging of your chlorine how much it takes for that amount of water. Start there and see what it accomplishes!
You will also probably need to follow a protocol of letting your pump clean the pool for several hours and then check the pH level. Dont forget to clean your pool or filter in the meantime. That will help you know how much chlorine to add to get the water levels right.
And it is okay if your pH level is a little low. That is still great for swimming.
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It Starts With The Pump
The pump is the heart of your swimming pool and is the most critical factor in keeping your pool water clean and clear. Like your heart, the pump keeps the pool water circulating. Having a strong enough pump for the size of your pool is essential. Your pump should be able to turn over the water in your pool every eight hours. That means that in the course of eight hours, every single drop of water in your pool has circulated through the pump.
Keeping pool water moving will help keep your pool clean. Moving water is less likely to grow algae. By keeping the water moving, more debris is directed into your skimmer and on to the filter. The filter will collect both large and small debris, even including microscopic particles. By keeping debris and tiny particles out of your pool water, the pump along with the filter can prevent your pool water from becoming dull or cloudy.
The Basic Components Of A Swimming Pool
Like most major home improvements, you can get as fancy as you like with your swimming pool. You can add advanced heating and lighting, install high-tech pool covers, and even enjoy music while you swim with underwater pool speakers. But whether you have a basic backyard pool or a massive inground oasis shaped like Elvis, every pool has four components that need regular care to keep the good times rollin.
These include:
- The pools interior wall or liner
- The pools filter system
- The pools system of skimmers and returns
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Maintain The Balance Of Pool Water
Apart from keeping the water clean, you should also maintain the chemical level of it. If you have already checked the level, its time to keep them in balance.
There are three types of chemical balances that need to be maintained.
Alkaline Level
Keeping the alkalinity level in the correct range is crucial to avoid spikes in the pH level. The ideal range for alkalinity should be 100 to 150 ppm.
pH Level
Always keep the pH level between 7.4 and 7.6. Going below or above this range may require a pH increaser or reducer.
Chlorine Level
To maintain a healthy and sanitized pool, you should keep the chlorine level between 2 to 4 ppm. Upon checking the level, you need to decide if you should add more chlorine or not.
Shock The Water
Shocking or super-chlorination of water involves adding a concentrated amount of chlorine to eliminate the chloramine in your pool. The shock treatment is particularly needed if the pool isnt well-maintained for a long time or when you are using the pool very frequently. Besides, unnatural additives from shampoos, suntan, or sunblock lotions can generate harmful bacteria that can be destroyed by shocking the water.
Depending on how much you use your pool, you may have to give the shock treatment once a week.
Take Down Your Accessories
These little parts might be easy to overlook, but theyll take a hit this winter if left in the elements. Remove any pool ladders, rails, and other accessories you have installed in your pool. This is also a great opportunity to give them a good rub down, then let them dry.
Do you have a saltwater pool? Now is the time to remove your salt water chlorine generator, drain it, and store it. Plus, you can turn off all power and gas to your system, since you wont be needing them. I have two pieces of good news for you: youre about to love the bills that come in, and youre done!
The next part of closing your pool involves using a winter cover, which is at risk of collapsing under rain and debris this winterbut that can be prevented with a cover pump that works on its own. Keep your cover light and secure with the BLACK+DECKER 800 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump, which detects up to a quarter inch of rain and works fast.
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How To Measure The Chlorine Levels In Your Pool
Another thing to help clear a cloudy above ground pool is to ensure the chlorine level is balanced correctly. Test strips indicate the ppm chlorine levels. Hold the strip in the water for a few seconds, then match the color on the strip with the ppm chart.
Although bleach can act as a sanitizer for the pool, it is best to use chlorine. Using either chlorine tablets or granular chlorine, pre-dissolve the measured amount in a bucket and pour the cleaner along the pool liner for the way to shock a pool.
Never pour chlorine directly into the skimmer. When a pool has the right amount of chlorine in the water, it reduces the chances of red eyes and swimmers itch.
Best Practices For Cleaning Your Pool
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The Importance Of Backwashing Your Pool
Backwashing your pool water reverses water flow through the filter, allowing debris and dirt to dislodge through the process.
It is best to backwash your pool once a week for the best above ground pool cleaning practices, generally after you have vacuumed the pool. Turn off the pool pump and switch the valve to its backwash position.
After running water for two minutes, turn off the pump and change it to the rinse position. Run the water for another minute before turning the pump off.
Before you turn the pump back on, reset the filter valve. With a strict pool maintenance routine, understanding how to clean an above ground pool is simpler than it initially appears.
Companies like Intex have been making innovative above ground pools for several years, which provide a fun way to enjoy the heat while being less expensive than in-ground pools.
Above ground pool cleaning is an essential part of keeping the water clean and safe to swim in. Chlorine levels help kill harmful bacteria, while baking soda helps clear a cloud above ground pool.
Test And Tweak Your Water For Winter
Open or closed, knowing whats up with your water chemistry is essential to keeping your pool in tip-top condition. Take a few minutes to test your pool water before you begin closing.
You can test the water yourself with test strips or a water testing kit for a little more accuracy. If you want the most accurate results possible, you can also take a water sample to your local pool store and have them test it for you.
Your goal is a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, and alkalinity between 100 parts per million and 150 ppm, with 125 ppm being ideal. Also make sure the calcium hardness is between 175 ppm to 225 ppm, and that the chlorine is between 1 ppm and 3 ppm. If you use a different sanitizer, just make sure its at the proper level for whatever youre using. Since you wont be adjusting the water balance during the off season, its better to be on the high side of these ranges when you close your pool because theyll naturally decrease over time.
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Dont Throw Away The Key
Youve made sure your pool equipment is safe, but dont lose the plot here: winter will end, and the off-season with it. And sure, you might have to move a few boxes of old school medals and Halloween wigs to get to it, but your swim essentials will be right where you left them, right when you need them. Lets hope its sooner rather than later. In the meantime, enjoy.
Above Ground Pool Wall And Liner
Always be sure to exercise caution around the outside of your pool. Remember these few tips to keep your wall strong for many years to come.
- Never use heavy duty weed eaters or a metal edger around the outside of your pool, as you can puncture your wall.
- Check it a couple of times a year for any rust formation and treat with a rust preventive immediately.
- Maintain a tall berm to keep sand from washing out from under your liner.
When it comes to the liner, the thicker the better, but all liners are subject to minor leaks over their lifetime. Tips to keeping your liner in great shape are as follows:
- If you feel that you are losing due to something other than natural evaporation, begin to check the liner for holes or separations.
- Always cover your pool in the winter to elongate the liners lifespan. If it is only exposed to the harsh elements like sun and wind for half the year, it will remain elastic and in excellent condition for quite a long time.
- Keep your pH in check and your chlorine at a normal level. A prolonged high or low pH and consistently high chlorine residuals will break down your liner quickly. Keeping your chemicals balanced is not only important for swimmers, but for your liners health, as well.
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A Beginners Guide To Pool Maintenance
Your swimming pool needs regular upkeep. Thats why it pays to develop a strong basic understanding of pool maintenance essentials.
When you know how your pool works, the best ways to care for it, and how to plan for it, youll be ready to solve just about any potential pool problem that floats your way.
Give Your Filter One Last Go
Since your filter is a holding place for all the gunk it picks up from your water as it circulates through, drain it before storing it this year. No way do you want that stuff sitting for long.
If you have a sand filter, set your multiport valve to winterize and remove the drain plug at the bottom. Allow the filter to completely drain. If your valves has any other extras, like a sight glass or a bleeder valve, remove those, too. If your filter is too heavy to carry inside, itll be fine as it is: outside, with all drain plugs removed.
For cartridge filters, just take the cartridge out, submerge it in water with pool filter cleaner, rinse it out, let it dry, and store it inside. Youll want to leave the valves open on your filter throughout the winter.
For diatomaceous earth filters drain all water out of the pump and filter, and then rinse off the grids with a hose to remove excess DE. Again, leave the valves open on this one.
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